by David Dahlbacka in Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Events, Green Line, Housing, Union Square
Posted on September 9, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Last Modified on September 16, 2012 at 4:02 pm
| September 19, 2012 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
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Public Hearing on Union Square Revitalization Plan
Thu. Sep. 19 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Somerville City Hall
Aldermanic Chambers
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)
This is a public hearing of the BOA Housing and Community Development Committee, followed by a regular meeting of the Committee meeting as a whole.
Agenda includes a Public Hearing on the Union Square Revitalization Plan and discussion by the Board of Aldermen meeting as a whole.
The HCD Committee evaluates proposed zoning changes and makes recommendations to the BOA.
For more information, see:
- Union Square Revitalization Plan
- Beat Report: 9/13/12 Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting as a Whole
- Somerville Meeting Portal
- Aldermanic Standing Committees
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Thoughts before the meeting:
1. It is a good idea to link T-stop development with Union Square redevelopment.
2. We need to develop both sides of Prospect Street along D2. D4 (across Prospect Street) should be developed soon, otherwise D2 could languish.
3. The prices on any takings by the SRA have to be negotiated. Otherwise, the original landowner could take the original payment, then sue and maybe collect triple damages. According to the city’s counsel, the City would be financially responsible.
4. We need to be careful about environmental liability. This is a very contaminated area, and some uses require more remediation than others.
5. The estimated tax revenue may be $120M, but the ongoing city expenses resulting from major development must be subtracted from that. If it’s all residential development, the net tax revenue may not be there.
See also: http://www.thesomervillenews.com/archives/29699
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Beat Report: 9/19/12 Public Hearing on Union Square Revitalization Plan
Present: Trane, LaFuente, Heuston, Sullivan, staff. Aldermanic Chambers full.
Bottom Line on Top
Neighborhood reaction mostly negative. Largest contingent from CrossFit gym (35 Prospect Street, down from Dunkin Donuts, and being in area D3 not currently at issue). Another spoke of an industrial laundry employing 400 people that could be taken. Tom Bent, Wig Zamore, myself, a representative of Union Square Main Streets, and a few others spoke generally in favor. The Committee will meet as a whole Tuesday, 9/25, in the Aldermanic Chambers to discuss the issue.
Rough Notes
[COMMENT: Following are highlights from memory. I could not take detailed notes because of a hardware issue.]
Many CrossFit members spoke of how important it had become in the lives in the 10 months it had been open. The owner spoke of how the building was up to code and was a new business and part of the revitalization of Union Square already.
Tom Bent argued that it was necessary to take the designated D2 area to get the Green Line T-Stop in.
Wig Zamore agreed with this and also remarked that both sides of Prospect St. should be developed and that negotiated sales should be preferred over takings.
I agreed with this and remarked that if a taking by the Somerville Redevelopment Authority did not provide adequate compensation, the landowner could sue for damages and the City would be liable. I also remarked that CrossFit was not really affected by the current phase, but that it was a perfectly good new business and that the City should try to keep it in its pocket.
[COMMENT: By this I meant that the City should focus on using this business, which is already consistent with the new zoning, as a nucleus for developing the block it is on, which is triangular and otherwise contains only a power substation. Not every building in Union Square has to be ten stories tall, and across Newton Street is a residential district that needs a buffer.]
The representative from Union Square Main Streets spoke of the plan as important for the T-stop and for the long-term success of the area.
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